The Red Sox will have to take stock of injury issues

CHICAGO - The Red Sox are off Monday, which may give them time to sort out their complicated injury situation.

It may not remove the need for roster decisions Tuesday, though.

Outfielder Scott Podsednik, whose .390 average since joining the team on May 22 led all American League players from that date, left Sunday's game against the Cubs with a groin strain.

Podsednik was doubled up on a ground ball, a rarity for him, and was clearly not at full speed. He was replaced in the sixth.

Kevin Youkilis hurt his big toe, the latest in a never-ending string of maladies afflicting the third baseman.

The Red Sox put outfielder Ryan Sweeney on the disabled list for a foot injury Sunday. They called up Ryan Kalish, whose RBI single off lefty James Russell broke a 3-3 tie in Boston's 7-4 victory.

Manager Bobby Valentine said after the game that Kalish was expected to be lifted for a pinch-hitter, but got the chance and delivered.

Daniel Nava pushed home another run with a squeeze bunt. That was called because the switch-hitting Nava was batting right-handed, and his sore left hand still inhibits his ability to hit from the right side.

Outfielder Cody Ross could be activated this week. He has missed a month with a broken bone in his foot, and if Podsednik's injury is significant, Ross may be arriving just in time to solve the latest health issue affecting a team that has been dealing with a staggering number of injuries all year.

"We're trying to plug the holes in the dike. I think we've done a pretty good job so far,'' Valentine said.